After horrendous flooding in Louisiana and surrounding states, Episcopal Relief & Development offered immediate support via an emergency assistance grant. This grant allows parishes to care for the most vulnerable people in their surrounding communities.

Diocese of Western Louisiana Disaster Coordinator Deacon Lois Maberry states: "As conditions improve and there are needs for volunteers I will send out other communications. In the meantime, if churches would like to donate something tangible, please consider gift cards. These are easily mailed to the churches in the area and can be given out as needed for various supplies."

Here is a letter from The Rt. Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr., Bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana, which was sent out August 15 and offers ways for communities to be involved. To learn more about the situation, to donate to the Episcopal Relief & Development US Disaster Response Fund, or to download bulletin inserts to distribute, please see the article here.

Collectively, with the whole Episcopal Church, we offer up this prayer taken from Holy Women, Holy Men (Church Publishing, 2009):

Compassionate God, whose Son Jesus wept at the grave his friend Lazarus: Draw near to us in this time of sorrow and anguish, comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who are weary, encourage those in despair, and lead us all to fullnesss of life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Savor and Redeemer, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

#EpiscopaliansVote

Sign the Episcopal Voter Pledge Today

"If we who are Christians participate in the political process and in the public discourse as we are called to do - the New Testament tells us that we are to participate in the life of the polis, in the life of our society - the principle on which Christians must vote is the principle, Does this look like love of neighbor?" - Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, March 2016

Episcopalians can live out our call to care for our neighbors as ourselves by engaging in the public square. This November 8, our nation will head to the polls to decide a number of important elections, and there are many opportunities for Episcopalians to engage in this electoral process. Official Episcopal policy recognizes voting and political participation as acts of Christian stewardship, calling upon congregations to engage in conversation on public policy issues, to develop voter registration and issue education campaigns, and to advocate for protection of voting rights.

Bishop Curry released a message to the Episcopal Church yesterday encouraging all to "Go and vote. Vote your conscience. Your conscience informed by what it means to love your neighbor. To participate in the process of seeking the common good. To participate in the process of making this a better world. However you vote, go and vote. And do that as a follower of Jesus."

The Episcopal Church is invting all members to sign a pledge today stating that they will show up at the polls and vote, for "the Episcopal Church considers voting an act of Christian stewardship." #EpiscopaliansVote

The provincial and churchwide delegates will be able to attend the official UNCSW proceedings at the United Nations and will represent the Episcopal Church/Anglican Communion in their advocacy at the UN, including joint advocacy with the group Ecumenical Women.

Chosen delegates will be expected to write a short report at the end of UNCSW and participate in follow-up action back home and a conference call to evaluate their time at UNCSW.

Application located here. The deadline for submission is September 16. For more information contact Lynnaia Main, Episcopal Church Global Relations Officer. Delegates will be chosen by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry; applicants will be notified by mid-October.

Concert Across America to End Gun Violence, September 25

Supported by Bishops United Against Gun Violence

On Sunday, September 25, places of worship are encouraged to hold music events to remember the victims of America's gun violence epidemic in a nation-wide Concert Across America to End Gun Violence.

Do you or your parish plan to be involved? Let ECCT know, as we would love to gather an ongoing list of parishes and communities hosting music events on September 25. Create an event listing for our ECCT Parish Event's Calendar here. We want as many communities involved as possible!

Read more here about the Concert Across America to End Gun Violence, and view a list of contributing cities and states here. Please register your music event on their website as well, and email a notice of your concert to bishopsunitedtec@gmail.com.

Follow the movement on Social Media with the hashtags: #ConcertAcrossAmerica and #EndGunViolence

Convention Corner:

The Episcopal Church in Connecticut's 232nd Annual Convention will be Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20, 2016 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT.

Celebration of the Spirit: Sunday of Convention*

ECCT is doing something wonderful and different on the Sunday of Convention this year - a massive worship service in the Convention Center, open to all, with the Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry, preaching. Interest in this free event is gathering steam in parishes, so be sure to share the information with your church so that they have a chance to register herebefore all the seats are filled.

In addition, a new letter from Bishops Ian and Laura is now available online outlines a few starting places for clergy and their congregations as they make plans for worship in their congregations for those not attending the worship service in Hartford.

The Environmental Ministry Network of Northwest Connecticut will be meeting on Saturday, August 27, from 4-6 p.m. at Barbara Putnam's farm in Litchfield. Please join us for a farm and woodland tour, bible study and prayer, followed by a pot luck supper and fellowship. This is the first meeting of the network and will set the direction for the group's future. For more information, directions, and potluck planning, please contact BrettFiglewski at (917) 239-7623 or by email; or contact Barbara Putnam at (860) 567-4465 or by email.

Cuba Ministry Network Conference and Networking Event September 17

A new Ministry Network for those interested in ministry with the Episcopal Church in Cuba will be hosting a conference and networking event at St. Luke's, Darien. All who are interested in ministry with the Cuban church are welcome. Topics include: what's happening today in Cuba, opportunities for engagement, youth ministry, asset-based strategies for mission, and building a regional Cuba Ministry Network of churches and nonprofits and the national Episcopal Church's Task Force on Cuba. $25 to cover lunch, materials. Details and registration here.

Next Community Gardens Ministry Network Meeting October 23

With the leadership of the Rev. Virginia Army, the group will meet from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at St. Mark's Church, New Canaan. The purpose of the meeting is to see the garden space, and to share stories and experiences regarding the season's gardens, the drought conditions, working with community partners, gaining support from the parishes, harvesting, future planning, etc. Please register for the Community Gardens here.

Women Clergy Breakfast with Bishop Ahrens at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 8, at St. Andrew's Church in Meriden. The group will be discussing the next two chapters of the Anglican Theological Review (ATR) focusing on the prayer of Anglican women. Specifically, all will discuss "From Dis-Bodied Discipleship to Embodied Relationality: Experiential Formation in the Life of Prayer" and "Will You Pray?" Please join even if you do not read the ATR. Time for community gathering and fellowship is a gift to everyone in her faithful journey, as time with female colleagues can be a restorative gift to one's prayer life. Please RSVP here, and clickhere for a link to the guide for study and discussion.

Camp Washington's First Annual Youth Festival will be September 10-11. Kick-off your Fall schedule at the CW Youth Festival at Our Place in Morris on September 10- 11, 2016! Space is limited! Register here to reserve your spot and t-shirt! Thanks to the wonderful generosity of The Bishops' Fund for Children, the cost of this weekend is only $25 (scholarships are available). What are you Waiting For? Register Today!

Lay Worship Leader Training Saturday, September 17. The Commission on Ministry is inviting all lay people to train as Lay Worship leaders. We'll explore the history and spirituality of the daily office with an emphasis on how to lead Morning Prayer. Upon completing this training, lay leaders may be eligible to be licensed as worship leaders subject to the priest's request. The event will take place on Saturday, September 17 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at The Commons in Meriden. Please register here. If you have questions about the event, please email Dean of Formation, Molly James at mjames@episcopalct.org.

Register for the Sept 24 Workshop:

Joining God in the Neighborhood

Join clergy and lay leaders from across the Episcopal Church in Connecticut for a discussion about how to discover what God's up to in our neighborhoods. Then, following an early lunch, all will head out together and try on what we've just learned, listening for what God is telling us in some of West Hartford's nearby neighborhoods. Please see here for an invitation from the Rev. Tim Hodapp, Canon for Mission Collaboration. Please click here for more information and registration.

Save the Date: Preaching Symposium, Saturday November 5 at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. The Rev. David Bartlett, professor emeritus at Yale Divinity School, will be the plenary speaker and workshops will be offered in the afternoon. The event is being hosted by the Bishops and the Commission on Ministry and is open to lay and ordained leaders in ECCT. Lay leaders must be nominated by their clergy person in order to attend.The cost to attend is $20 and scholarship funds are available. Please register via Eventbrite here. If you have any questions about the day, please contact the Dean of Formation, Molly James.

To submit a job opening to be included here, please fill out this form. Jobs will be reviewed and then posted in the weekly enews and posted on the website.

Confirmations Corner

Save the Date: Bishops and Confirmands' Dinner

In preparation for the upcoming Confirmation programs of 2016-2017, Bishop Laura and Bishop Ian encourage would like to invite individuals preparing for confirmation to join the bishops for a dinner and conversation at The Commons on what it means to be disciples and apostles participating in God's mission.

These conversations are open to teenagers and adults preparing for confirmation in the Episcopal Church in 2016 and 2017, as well as for ongoing confirmation classes and interested inquirers. Confirmation class leaders and/or clergy are encouraged to join for this conversation about one's participation in God's mission.

The ECCT calendar is located here. It allows you to filter events by category and includes a subscribe link at the bottom of the page. Specific details including locations, times, etc. will also be found there.

August 25, Program and Budget Meeting

September 1, Jack Spaeth Caring for Creation Committee Meeting

September 1, Preaching Day and Lay Preaching Planning Meeting

September 1, Finance Committee Meeting

September 6, Recently Ordained Clergy Meeting

September 6, Camp Washington Board Meeting

September 8, Women's Clergy Breakfast

September 8, Faithful Futures- Sustainability Meeting

September 10, Leadership Gathering

Please note: The Commons will be closed on Labor Day, September 5.

See Ministry Network Corner, above, for known MN meetings and sponsored events

complete list of events is available on the website, for your consideration.

Please review event details on this calendar, or the individual parish/worshiping community, for more specific locations and times. Please reach out to the specific parish for event updates and further details.